Harrison Prep deemed International Baccalaureate World School

On Jan 9, 2012, after three years of preparation and planning, Clover Park School District’s Harrison Preparatory School received its official authorization as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, offering the Middle Years Program (MYP) to sixth- through 10th-graders (students 11 to 16-years-old).

“I am thrilled we have finally been authorized as an IB World School,” said Lisa Boyd, principal. “The Middle Years Program introduces our middle school students to rigorous international standards and allows our staff to have access to an international community of teachers and resources.”

To become authorized, Harrison Prep staff began implementing the IB curriculum at the start of the 2009-10 school year. The school finished a feasibility study—the first of three steps to become an IB World School—in June 2008, after they identified school resources and analyzed the IB philosophy and curriculum. From there, staff members completed required trainings and the school was visited by IB officials in March of 2011.

Casey Silbaugh is the school’s IB coordinator and works to support staff with the overall implementation.

“This is big news for Harrison Prep and Clover Park School District,” said Silbaugh. “I am very excited for our students and staff and appreciate everyone’s hard work and dedication to this important program. Plans are already in place to begin the process of bringing the IB Diploma Program to Harrison for our 11th- and 12th-grade students. We hope to provide a viable and rigorous option for families who might have chosen other school districts to educate their children.”

The MYP curriculum is made up of eight subject groups with five Areas of Interaction that promote global understanding and encourage student self-direction, critical thinking and collaboration, including parent involvement and community service:

Approaches to Learning: Fostering study skills and the learning process;

Community Service: Working on projects related to improving the community;

Health and Social Education: Developing a sense of responsibility for students’ own physical, mental and social well-being;

Environment: Focusing on the interdependence of humanity and the world we live in; and